Pinoy couple, Caucasian at VSMMC: 3 in Cebu being checked for flu

CEBU, Philippines – Fears of the dreaded swine flu suddenly became very real for the Cebuanos.

This as three persons have been put in isolation at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center to check if they have been infected with the Influenza A H1N1 virus.

The three are a Filipino couple, who just arrived from Ireland, a Caucasian woman, who went to the hospital after experiencing signs of the virus.

Throat swabs were taken from all three and sent to Manila for testing.

The Filipino couple came via Hong Kong before coming to Cebu.

The male was spotted to have high temperature at the thermal scan of the Mactan Cebu International Airport.

He was immediately held by officers from the Bureau of Quarantine to check his temperature.

His wife was also held due to her exposure to her husband, but she did not show any signs of being ill.

The couple was immediately brought to the VSMMC.

The couple was among the passengers of Cathay Pacific 921 from Hong Kong which arrived at 11:30 in the morning yesterday.

The male is 32 years old while the female is 30 years old. They were seated together at the plane so the wife was quarantined for precautionary measures.

The third case, a female British national who is in her early 20’s, came from swine flu-infected countries Mexico, United Kingdom and Hong Kong before arriving in Cebu.

She has been here for eight days before she voluntarily went to VSMMC Monday morning because she was worried that she might have contracted the virus.

The foreigner reportedly has developed coughs and cold, but has no signs of fever.

Department of Health Central Visayas Regional Director Dr. Susana Madarieta said that she believes that the foreigner is not positive of the dreaded virus, because the patient has already exceeded the incubation period.

Madarieta said that the virus spreads only until maximum of ten days.

She said that they are still going to wait for the results of the tests from Manila just to make sure.

The regional director of the DOH also reiterated that the country remains free from the virus.

Dr. Ma. Consuelo Malaga of the VSMMC Infectious Disease Section denied the DOH report that they have suspected patients who may be positive of H1N1.

“Categorically, we do not have any suspected case right now but we may have cases under investigation. These are people who may want to determine if they have the virus,” Malaga said.

Malaga said that a person considered suspected are those who have shown the symptoms that would make them fit the profile. She insisted that there is none for the moment.

She explained that the couple is still under investigation and could not yet be referred to as suspected swine flu cases.

Malaga, however, said that VSMMC is ready for any eventuality as it has a system in place.

The hospital is only reactivating the protocol created during the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Madarieta said that as of now, VSMMC is the only hospital so far they have identified to accommodate H1N1 patients. But they are also eyeing other hospitals, like the North General Hospital to be another referral hospital.

Madarieta told the public that there is no need to panic since the virus is only 10 percent fatal. She said that avian flu is more dangerous since there is an 80 percent chance of death if a person gets infected.

Nevertheless, the public must stay vigilant, alert and cautious. Because “it’s just a matter of time that the virus will enter the country,” Madarieta said.

She added that infected people might be able to enter and pass the airport without being detected because a person will still not manifest a symptom inside three to seven days.

Instructions on precautionary measures are given to passengers of international flights.

“Hopefully, all will follow the instructions to prevent the widespread of virus,” Madarieta said.

“If they will travel abroad or they came from countries infected and they have experienced, fever, vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, colds and other symptoms, they must immediately consult doctor and have themselves be examined at the DOH,” Madarieta said.

“Definitely do not self medicate, practice proper hygiene like frequent washing of hands and always practice the proper coughing and sneezing etiquette.”

The public is also called to be vigilant and report any suspected case in their community to DOH hotline 4187636. DOH will immediately send health personnel to confirm the suspected case.

Madarieta however clarified that viral diseases are self limiting and might be cured without treatment in the absence of complications that might lead to death.

Bureau of Quarantine Regional Director Emmanuel Labella clarified that the forwarding of the couple to the hospital is part of their protocol once there are passengers with the symptoms. – /NLQ (THE FREEMAN)